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The Wii U version of Batman: Arkham Origins will be missing $10 from its price tag in addition to the absent multiplayer content planned for the 360, PS3 and PC versions of the game, Kotaku reports. Amazon's listing for the Wii U version is currently priced at $49.96.

Publisher Warner Bros. explained in July that the decision to skip multiplayer for the Wii U version was made to focus "on platforms with the largest MP audience." Arkham Origins' multiplayer mode is being handled by Brink developer Splash Damage and will consist of a three-team fight for territory between the Joker's henchmen, Bane's thugs and Batman and Robin.

The Joker and Bane gangs will be a three-piece effort, although a henchman can be swapped for a super villain if a player earns their way into Joker or Bane's shoes. Batman & Robin, however, will fight on as a gadget-wielding duo of justice.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>batman-arkham-originsBrinknintendoprice-dropSplash-Damagewarner-bros-montrealwii-uSat, 28 Sep 2013 21:00:00 ESThttp://www.joystiq.com/2012/04/22/splash-damage-brink-sales-estimated-at-2-5-million/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/04/22/splash-damage-brink-sales-estimated-at-2-5-million/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/04/22/splash-damage-brink-sales-estimated-at-2-5-million/#commentsDespite a rocky launch and underwhelming critical reception, Brink went on to do "all right" on the PC thanks to multitudes of patches, free DLC and a sprinkle of magical sales dust from the Steam Discount Fairy.

As it turns out, all right actually means pretty damn good: "It's estimated to have sold more than 2.5 million units worldwide, which at retail would mean that it's generated around $120-140 million in revenue," said Splash Damage CEO Paul Wedgwood during an interview with Gamasutra. Not too shabby for a game we gave two stars last year.

"But of course, as an independent video game developer, we don't earn that kind of revenue, as we're not the publisher of the title," Wedgwood said. Splash Damage plans on changing that by opening WarCrest, its own publishing house. WarCrest will handle Splash Damage's future products, while Fireteam (another Splash Damage-founded company) handles said games' associated online services.

"It was rough, but in the end the game's done alright," Alphonso told Joystiq, shortly after his GDC Europe presentation on the ambitious shooter's development. "Key is to keep supporting the game and keep tuning it more and more."

Alphonso said it's too early to discuss if the game will retain a significant portion of the new players. "We still have a lot of work to do, honestly," he said, noting improvements to the overall game and its supporting tech. "We have to support those people."

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Brinkgdce-2011microsoftneil-alphonsopcplaystationps3xboxMon, 15 Aug 2011 10:15:00 ESThttp://www.joystiq.com/2011/08/05/team-fortress-2-gets-to-play-with-classic-quakecon-weapons/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/08/05/team-fortress-2-gets-to-play-with-classic-quakecon-weapons/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/08/05/team-fortress-2-gets-to-play-with-classic-quakecon-weapons/#commentsTeam Fortress 2 just had a futuristic weapons update with Dr. Grordbort's Infallible Aether Oscillators, and now Valve is going old-school. To celebrate QuakeCon 2011, which kicked off yesterday in Dallas, TF2 is getting a bevy of Bethesda and id Software gear as part of the QuakeCon Steam Sale (a different deal each day!). The following items correspond with different daily deals, but are all available through 10 a.m. EDT August 8:

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Brinkelder-scrolls-5Fallout-New-VegaspcQuakerageskyrimSTEAMTeam-Fortress-2the-elder-scrolls-v-skyrimupdatevalveFri, 05 Aug 2011 17:30:00 ESThttp://www.joystiq.com/2011/08/04/brink-on-steam-playable-for-free-this-weekend-on-sale-50-off/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/08/04/brink-on-steam-playable-for-free-this-weekend-on-sale-50-off/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/08/04/brink-on-steam-playable-for-free-this-weekend-on-sale-50-off/#comments
If you've been debating about playing Brink, this deal could push you over the edge. Splash Damage's team-based FPS is free on Steam until Sunday at 1PM Pacific. The game is also 50 percent off, so if you have a good time, it'll only set you back $25.

But wait, there's another option: Brink is also included in the Steam QuakeCon pack, a $495 value available for $70. It includes Brink, along with what appears to be every game available on Steam from publishers Bethesda Softworks and id Software.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Bethesda-SoftworksBrinkfree-weekendpcSplash-DamagesteamThu, 04 Aug 2011 16:00:00 ESThttp://www.joystiq.com/2011/07/29/brinks-agents-of-change-dlc-arrives-on-aug-3-still-free-for/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/07/29/brinks-agents-of-change-dlc-arrives-on-aug-3-still-free-for/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/07/29/brinks-agents-of-change-dlc-arrives-on-aug-3-still-free-for/#comments
Bethesda and Splash Damage may have promised an "early July" launch window for its Brink downloadable content pack, "Agents of Change," but it won't actually be out until August 3. Despite its late arrival, the content will still be totally free for its first two weeks of availability -- but after that, it'll run $10 (800 MS Points).

Arriving alongside the DLC is a massive list of updates to each version of the game, which we invite you to pore over at your convenience right here. Interested in taking a peek at the new digs you'll be parkouring around come August 3? Our gallery below has got you covered.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>agents-of-changebethesdabethesda-softworksBrinkdlcdownloadable-contentmicrosoftpcplaystationps3splash-damagexboxFri, 29 Jul 2011 14:00:00 ESThttp://www.joystiq.com/2011/07/26/brink-down-to-20-on-amazon-today-other-lightning-deals-strike/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/07/26/brink-down-to-20-on-amazon-today-other-lightning-deals-strike/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/07/26/brink-down-to-20-on-amazon-today-other-lightning-deals-strike/#comments
Splash Damage's class-based shooter Brink has been marked down to a crisp $20 today on Amazon. There's also a handful of other offers on the Lightning Deals round-up, the hints for which are posted after the jump.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>amazonBethesda-SoftworksBrinkmicrosoftplaystationps3splash-damagexboxTue, 26 Jul 2011 10:45:00 ESThttp://www.joystiq.com/2011/07/19/brink-stat-page-update-now-live-on-pc/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/07/19/brink-stat-page-update-now-live-on-pc/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/07/19/brink-stat-page-update-now-live-on-pc/#comments
Stat tracking is now available for PC players in Brink. The mouse-and-keyboard set should head on over to the FAQ for the basics and then register in the game's stat section.

The PC version of Brink also received an update today, with highlights listed after the break. No word yet on updates for the Xbox 360 or PS3 versions, nor a release date for the Agents of Change DLC.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Brinkmicrosoftpcplaystationps3Splash-DamagexboxTue, 19 Jul 2011 21:20:00 ESThttp://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/27/amazons-vorpal-sword-cuts-20-off-alice-madness-returns/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/27/amazons-vorpal-sword-cuts-20-off-alice-madness-returns/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/27/amazons-vorpal-sword-cuts-20-off-alice-madness-returns/#comments
As if it'd taken a swig from a bottle labeled "Drink Me," the price tag on Alice: Madness Returns has diminished in size at Amazon. This week only, the retailer is offering American McGee's second excursion into Wonderland for $20 off, making it $40 on PS3 and 360 and $30 on PC.

The deal is available only "while supplies last," and joins similar week-long discounts on Brink and The Witcher 2 -- which is also a fantasy game, but features far fewer flying pig snouts.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Alice-2Alice-Madness-Returnsamazonamerican-mcgeebrinkdeal-of-the-weekeaElectronic-Artsmicrosoftpcplaystationps3spicy-horsethe-witcher-2xboxMon, 27 Jun 2011 20:00:00 ESThttp://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/24/brinks-agents-of-change-dlc-expected-in-early-july-will-be-f/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/24/brinks-agents-of-change-dlc-expected-in-early-july-will-be-f/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/24/brinks-agents-of-change-dlc-expected-in-early-july-will-be-f/#comments
Splash Damage has announced on its blog that Brink's "Agents of Change" DLC pack, which includes two maps, five new player abilities, two outfits and two weapon attachments, is expected to arrive in early July. In addition to the launch window, Splash Damage also revealed the DLC will be free for its first two weeks of availability -- be sure to check out our previous post highlighting what's on offer.

Following the DLC is a new title update, which Splash Damage says will be "highlighted by online optimizations, AI enhancements, and weapon balance tweaks" based on player feedback. No other details were provided, though we did nab some screenshots of Agents of Change in action.

We've given up trying to understand. Zumba Fitness is back atop the UK charts this week, a position it's enjoyed severaltimesbefore. This latest ascension for Zumba was thanks to a 51 percent increase in sales of the Wii version. Chart-Track doesn't provide an explanation for the sales boost ... probably because some things just can't be explained.

The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time for 3DS enjoyed a second place debut on the charts, with around 20% of UK 3DS owners buying the title during its launch week. Duke Nukem Forever sales slipped 58 percent and the title drops two spots into third place for its second week at retail -- this hasn't quite been the glorious comeback for Nukem.

Other premieres last week were Dungeon Siege 3 and Alice: Madness Returns, which charted at ninth and 13th, respectively. Child of Eden, the Kinect-enabled sensory experience appreciated by critics, debuted in 25th. Taste the purple of the UK top ten after the break.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Brinkchart-trackchart-track-weeklydsduke-nukem-foreverLA-Noiremicrosoftnintendoplaystationps3the-legend-of-zelda-ocarina-of-timethe-legend-of-zelda-ocarina-of-time-3dUKxboxzumba-fitnessMon, 20 Jun 2011 08:30:00 ESThttp://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/13/hackers-target-bethesda-may-have-gained-access-to-account-info/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/13/hackers-target-bethesda-may-have-gained-access-to-account-info/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/13/hackers-target-bethesda-may-have-gained-access-to-account-info/#comments
We're not quite sure what the gaming industry did to earn the ire of all those Angelina Jolie types out there, but here we are, reporting on yet another attack. Bethesda was the target this past weekend, as a hacker group tried to infiltrate the studios' sites. A post on the Bethesda Blog warns that these hackers may have accessed "user names, email addresses, and/or passwords."

If you frequent any Bethesda forum or have taken advantage of Brink's stat-tracking site, Bethesda says you should change your login info and be on the lookout for suspicious emails. Of course, it goes without saying that if your Bethesda login info mirrors your account name and password on other sites, be cognizant of the danger posed and change your info there, as well.

L.A. Noire, despite a 56 percent drop in sales this past week, remained the top game in the UK, according to Chart-Track's All Formats chart. With little in the way of competition, Rockstar's crime procedural, which debuted as the UK's fastest-selling new IP two weeks ago, maintained its position atop a list of the usual suspects.

Lego Pirates of the Caribbean caught the trade winds and sailed back into second, while Dirt 3 lost some ground and slipped one spot into third. Sims 3: Generations, the fourth expansion pack for the series and the only game that wasn't previously playing musical chairs in the UK top ten, premiered in tenth.

The only other debut that made it into the Top 40 was the Bethesda published Hunted: The Demon's Forge. Despite receiving (at least in the States) what feels like little promotion, InXile's decent game still managed to come out swinging a sword in 14th place. Check out the full UK top ten after the break.

Lego Pirates of the Caribbean lost some wind in its sails and fell to third, with Brink rounding out the top five. Zumba Fitness maintained fourth, with sales up 19 percent last week. It's like Zumba Fitness was infused with that Just Dance "staying power" magic -- and as it happens, Just Dance 2, despite not being in the top ten, has been hanging around close by (at No. 11).

Price promotions helped give sales boosts to some of the top ten remainders. Check those out after the break.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Brinkchart-trackchart-track-weeklyDirt-3LA-Noirelego-pirates-of-the-caribbeanlego-pirates-of-the-caribbean-the-video-gamemicrosoftnintendoplaystationps3wiixboxzumba-fitnessTue, 31 May 2011 09:05:00 ESThttp://www.joystiq.com/2011/05/30/brinks-first-free-dlc-detailed-stats-site-going-live-tomorrow/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/05/30/brinks-first-free-dlc-detailed-stats-site-going-live-tomorrow/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/05/30/brinks-first-free-dlc-detailed-stats-site-going-live-tomorrow/#comments
After announcing earlier this month that a free content pack would arrive for Ark dwellers at some point in June, Bethesda has detailed the "Agents of Change" DLC that's coming to Brink in the near future. Two new maps, five new abilities, and a handful of weapon attachments and character outfits comprise the pack, which has yet to be given a solid release date.

If that weren't enough to get you parkour-shooting once again, the game's statistics site will go live tomorrow for Xbox 360 and PS3 players, while the PC version will arrive "very soon." And hey, a title update went live late last week that supposedly helps with the crippling lag people have encountered when taking the game online, so there's that! Head past the break for the entire list of free stuff coming in the "Agents of Change" DLC.

Your friends list can probably corroborate: L.A. Noire is a hit. Chart-Track revealed today that Team Bondi's crime drama is the "fastest-selling new video game IP ever in the UK," and the 13th fastest-selling title during launch week for Xbox 360 (11th fastest on PS3). It'll be interesting to see if L.A. Noire does as well as Red Dead Redemption,which sucked the oxygen out of retail during its first few weeks.

Meanwhile, Lego Pirates of the Caribbean maintained second place, while Brink slipped from its top position last week to third. Zumba Fitness won't go home when the lights go out, slipping only six percent in sales and capturing a spot in fourth.

The Witcher 2: Assassins of Kings premiered in fifth as the only other debut to break into the top 40 last week. The sequeloutsold The Witcher's UK launch nearly three to one, according to Chart-Track -- remember that those figures don't include digital sales.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Brinkchart-trackchart-track-weeklyLA-Noirelego-pirates-of-the-caribbeanlego-pirates-of-the-caribbean-the-video-gamemicrosoftnintendopcplaystationps3the-witcher-2-assassins-of-kingsUKwiixboxzumba-fitnessMon, 23 May 2011 09:25:00 ESThttp://www.joystiq.com/2011/05/21/brink-patch-scheduled-for-next-week-addresses-lag/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/05/21/brink-patch-scheduled-for-next-week-addresses-lag/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/05/21/brink-patch-scheduled-for-next-week-addresses-lag/#comments
If you're still having trouble keeping a smooth connection to Brink's class-based skirmishes, you may have better luck after an update launches for all three of the game's platforms next week. Bethesda's blog outlines the changes included in each version, including a few graphical glitches in the PC version of the game, and a bizarre freezing issue reported only by German players.

The blog post says Bethesda expects to launch all three patches sometime next week, so keep an eye out for the automatic update over the next few days. The post also has some helpful tips for avoiding lag until the patches go live. Let's see: "Sacrifice a small animal on your console of choice, as if said console were some kind of pagan altar." Whoa! That's ... no. Don't do that.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Bethesda-Game-StudiosBrinklagmicrosoftpatchpcplaystationps3Splash-DamageupdatexboxSat, 21 May 2011 18:30:00 ESThttp://www.joystiq.com/2011/05/16/brink-vaults-to-the-top-of-uk-charts/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/05/16/brink-vaults-to-the-top-of-uk-charts/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/05/16/brink-vaults-to-the-top-of-uk-charts/#commentsBrink took the top spot on the UK all-formats charts last week, and even the PlayStation 3 version (which couldn't support online play last week) became the best seller on the platform. With the PSN restored, it should soon receive the matchmaking updates added to the Xbox 360 version.

Lego Pirates of the Caribbean sailed into second for its debut, while Zumba Fitness held a solid footing at third, experiencing only a two percent drop in sales.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>BrinkCall-of-Duty-Black-Opschart-trackchart-track-weeklylego-pirates-of-the-caribbeanlego-pirates-of-the-caribbean-the-video-gamemicrosoftnintendoplaystationPortal-2ps3wiixboxZumba-FitnessMon, 16 May 2011 10:27:00 ESThttp://www.joystiq.com/2011/05/14/brink-getting-free-dlc-in-june-360-matchmaking-update-now-live/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/05/14/brink-getting-free-dlc-in-june-360-matchmaking-update-now-live/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/05/14/brink-getting-free-dlc-in-june-360-matchmaking-update-now-live/#comments
After launching Brink to mixed reviews, Splash Damage and Bethesda are refining the class-based multiplayer shooter with updates and add-ons. Writing on the Bethesda blog yesterday, a rep from the two companies revealed that the game's first downloadable add-on -- comprising additional maps and other "new content" -- will be available for free at an unspecified date in June.

Additionally, a Brink configuration update has gone live on Xbox 360 (no download required). It will cap the number of human players when matchmaking in "Campaign" and "Freeplay" modes, allowing for a maximum of eight online players. Splash Damage believes this will lead to better connections between players and reduce instances of lag. By default, this will eliminate 8v8 matches, but "for players who haven't been [experiencing] lag, we'll still support 8v8 on all maps via a new 'Big Teams' configuration in Freeplay, and through custom settings in Private matches."

Meanwhile, the PC version of Brink has gotten a full patch containing several fixes, many of which were already included on the day-one patch sent out to consoles. The matchmaking update will be available on PS3 as soon as Sony's online network is restored.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bethesdabethesda-softworksBrinkdlcmicrosoftpatchpcplaystationps3psnq3-2011release-datesplash-damagexboxxbox-liveSat, 14 May 2011 12:45:00 ESThttp://www.joystiq.com/2011/05/10/brink-review/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/05/10/brink-review/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/05/10/brink-review/#comments
In decades past, when the first-person shooter genre -- hell, when the whole of three-dimensional gaming -- was still very much in its infancy, shooters could scrape by on nothing more than their inclusion of amusing, oftentimes absurd innovations. Combat didn't have to be perfectly tight, weapons didn't have to be balanced to a T, and developers didn't need to worry about character progression to retain their audience. Some might argue that the genre's formative years produced some of the greatest shooters of all time. What they cannot argue with, however, is this: Those days are over.

Brink is built on the back of some very unique ideas, the most notable of which being its fluid, parkour-inspired movement and its procedurally generated player objectives. They have promise, to be sure, and even manage to realize some of their potential -- but unfortunately, any innovation Brink brings to the table is mired in its habitually imbalanced nature, as well as its sometimes stupefyingly flawed gameplay design.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Bethesda-SoftworksBrinkfpsid-techmicrosoftpcplaystationps3shooterSplash-DamagexboxTue, 10 May 2011 00:01:00 ESThttp://www.joystiq.com/2011/05/06/brinks-parkour-video-will-probably-make-you-hurl/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/05/06/brinks-parkour-video-will-probably-make-you-hurl/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/05/06/brinks-parkour-video-will-probably-make-you-hurl/#comments
That headline's no exaggeration -- the trailer posted after the jump compares the exploits of real-life parkour artist Daniel Ilabaca with the virtual wall-runnings of Brink. It's all shot in first person, and, as you might imagine, it's all super nauseating.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Bethesda-SoftworksBrinkmicrosoftparkourpcplaystationps3Splash-DamagexboxFri, 06 May 2011 15:00:00 ESThttp://www.joystiq.com/2011/05/05/brinks-battlefield-amenities-explained-in-final-smart-trailer/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/05/05/brinks-battlefield-amenities-explained-in-final-smart-trailer/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/05/05/brinks-battlefield-amenities-explained-in-final-smart-trailer/#commentsBrink's SMART series of instructional videos concludes with a description of the battlefield, including the on-site "command posts" where players can change loadouts and classes. The game will be available next Tuesday, May 10.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>BethesdaBethesda-SoftworksBrinkmicrosoftpcplaystationps3Splash-DamagexboxThu, 05 May 2011 14:20:00 ESThttp://www.joystiq.com/2011/05/04/brink-trailer-offers-a-master-class-on-classes/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/05/04/brink-trailer-offers-a-master-class-on-classes/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/05/04/brink-trailer-offers-a-master-class-on-classes/#comments
Still a little foggy about the various functions and goals of Brink's four player classes: the Soldier, Engineer, Medic and Operative? Though previous trailers have shown off their strengths and weaknesses, the latest trailer posted below gives the best explanation of each role's responsibilities.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Bethesda-SoftworksBrinkmicrosoftpcplaystationps3splash-damagexboxWed, 04 May 2011 17:20:00 ESThttp://www.joystiq.com/2011/05/04/brink-trailer-introduces-hud-on-cusp-of-launch/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/05/04/brink-trailer-introduces-hud-on-cusp-of-launch/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/05/04/brink-trailer-introduces-hud-on-cusp-of-launch/#comments
The latest Brink video gives the heads-up on the HUD, telling future combatants how to interpret all the on-screen data that will be present during games of "Team Floatress." The multiplayer-focused title will be available next week, on May 10.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Bethesda-SoftworksBrinkmicrosoftpcplaystationps3Splash-DamagexboxWed, 04 May 2011 00:30:00 ESThttp://www.joystiq.com/2011/04/29/bethesda-details-how-brinks-dedicated-servers-will-work-on-pc/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/04/29/bethesda-details-how-brinks-dedicated-servers-will-work-on-pc/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/04/29/bethesda-details-how-brinks-dedicated-servers-will-work-on-pc/#comments
The official Bethesda blog has posted an in-depth FAQ detailing exactly how the PC version of the upcoming Brink will make use of dedicated servers. Interested players will be able to download the free standalone server on Steam prior to the game's release (the game itself will also pre-load on Steam, according to Bethesda), then configure and run it right through the Steam client.

The setup will come with a few standard settings, but players will be able to customize their games as much as they'd like, setting up certain game modes, and customizing things like time limits, team sizes, passwords, and even the availability of certain buffs and friendly fire.

In short, Splash Damage is going old-school, and allowing players (as well as third-party server providers) to run whatever games they'd like on their own. That's much more generous than the less open options some high-profile multiplayer gameshave offered recently, so PC gamers should appreciate it.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bethesdaBrinkdedicated-serversfaqpcsplash-damageFri, 29 Apr 2011 04:00:00 ESThttp://www.joystiq.com/2011/04/20/brink-preview/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/04/20/brink-preview/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/04/20/brink-preview/#commentsBrink, the frantic first-person shooter being brought to us by Splash Damage, has so much going on that at first I struggled to stay alive. During my hour-long playthrough I had a game developer over my shoulder helping me along the way and, by the end, I almost couldn't leave. For anyone who has played Team Fortress 2, Brink will feel very familiar.

This isn't surprising as Paul Wedgwood -- the CEO of Splash Damage and the game's director -- ran a Team Fortress clan for years. Other Splash Damage games such as Wolfenstein: Enemy Territory and Enemy Territory: Quake Wars have followed the same class-based combat of Team Fortress. Brink is set up much in the same manner with four classes: a soldier, medic, engineer and operative. But Brink takes that formula a step further than TF2. And then 10 more.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>BethesdaBethesda-SoftworksBFG-2011BrinkmicrosoftPaul-Wedgwoodplaystationps3Splash-DamagexboxWed, 20 Apr 2011 19:15:00 ESThttp://www.joystiq.com/2011/04/11/bethesda-bumps-brink-up-a-week-now-coming-may-10/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/04/11/bethesda-bumps-brink-up-a-week-now-coming-may-10/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/04/11/bethesda-bumps-brink-up-a-week-now-coming-may-10/#comments
You probably don't need us to tell you how rare it is for a video game release to be moved one week earlier than its original target, as opposed to, you know, twenty weeks later. Still, that's the case with Splash Damage's upcoming, multiplayer-centric shooter Brink -- its May 17 release date in North America and May 20 release date in Europe have been bumped up seven days, to May 10 and May 13, respectively.

Bethesda's Pete Hines explained, "Production wrapped on Brink earlier than we planned and we didn't see any reason to keep gamers from getting their hands on this highly anticipated game as soon as it was ready." Couldn't think of a reason, huh? How about this tattoo we got last weekend, which reads "On The Brink: 5/17/11," and then there's a picture of one of the dudes from Brink? That seems like a pretty damn good reason.

Oh, also, the new date deftly avoids competition with LA Noire -- a policy which we've elected to nickname "The Alan Wake Maneuver."

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Bethesda-SoftworksBrinkmicrosoftpcplaystationps3release-dateSplash-DamagexboxMon, 11 Apr 2011 13:30:00 ESThttp://www.joystiq.com/2011/04/05/brinks-latest-trailer-is-hacking-your-mainframe/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/04/05/brinks-latest-trailer-is-hacking-your-mainframe/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/04/05/brinks-latest-trailer-is-hacking-your-mainframe/#comments
You don't have to be Zero Cool to hack mainframes -- at least not in Splash Damage's Brink. The latest trailer shows one such player doing just that, sans Angelina Jolie.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bethesdabethesda-softworksBrinkfpsmicrosoftpcplaystationps3splash-damagetrailerxboxTue, 05 Apr 2011 19:45:00 ESThttp://www.joystiq.com/2011/03/15/brink-gets-classy-in-latest-gameplay-clip/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/03/15/brink-gets-classy-in-latest-gameplay-clip/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/03/15/brink-gets-classy-in-latest-gameplay-clip/#comments
Rather than donning a tux and renting a limo, Brink's latest trailer actually just shows off the game's class-based multiplayer. For lessons in the subtle differences between a medic and a soldier, head past the break.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bethesdabethesda-softworksBrinkgameplaymicrosoftplaystationps3splash-damagexboxTue, 15 Mar 2011 10:17:00 ESThttp://www.joystiq.com/2011/03/09/board-the-ark-at-pax-east-for-an-early-demo-of-brink/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/03/09/board-the-ark-at-pax-east-for-an-early-demo-of-brink/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/03/09/board-the-ark-at-pax-east-for-an-early-demo-of-brink/#comments
Listen up, PAX East attendees -- provided you're not already on some form of transit to Boston that's preventing you from accessing the internet. Splash Damage and Bethesda are hosting a demo event for their upcoming shooter Brink this Friday at a fairly unique location: At a cruise terminal on the Boston waterfront. Guests who attend the party at "The Ark," will find themselves awash with refreshments, goodie bags, and opportunities to participate in 8 vs. 8 multiplayer matches.

You'll have to catch a shuttle running from the convention center to the event from 8 - 11 p.m. ET if you want to attend. Sure, that sounds like kind of a hassle, but considering that folks aboard the Ark are also guaranteed safety once the raging floods consume the Earth, we think it's worth it.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Bethesda-SoftworksBrinkeventmicrosoftpartypax-eastpcplaystationps3splash-damagexboxWed, 09 Mar 2011 19:00:00 ESThttp://www.joystiq.com/2011/03/01/brink-preview/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/03/01/brink-preview/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/03/01/brink-preview/#comments
Players of Splash Damage's Brink will probably notice its similarities to the company's previous Enemy Territory titles -- while the game is set in an all new universe pitting Security and Resistance forces against each other, the gameplay is both familiar and fresh, combining class-based warfare and team objective gameplay with a helpful interface.

But the relationship might be closer than you think. "I'll be honest," said Richard Ham, creative director at Splash Damage to Joystiq during a recent press event in Los Angeles. "Brink is Enemy Territory 3. Let's not mince words here." Well, okay then.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bethesdabrinkmicrosoftpcplaystationps3splash-damagexboxTue, 01 Mar 2011 19:00:00 ESThttp://www.joystiq.com/2011/01/27/brink-to-launch-in-may-followed-by-hunted-the-demons-forge-in/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/01/27/brink-to-launch-in-may-followed-by-hunted-the-demons-forge-in/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/01/27/brink-to-launch-in-may-followed-by-hunted-the-demons-forge-in/#comments
You thought that Bethesda would leave you alone until it assaulted your wallet with Rage in September, and then The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim in November. No such luck, we're afraid. The company just announced it'll release parkour-based shooter Brinkon May 17, followed by fantasy action game Hunted: The Demon's Forge on June 1. Have they no compassion?

In related news: We never noticed until this exact moment, but wouldn't Brink and Hunted be great names for a duo of hardened private dicks with noses for trouble? You know, just two long-gone daddies with fists of steel and hearts of gold mixing it up with the local toughs? Maybe May and June are their kind-hearted, cocktail waitress girlfriends? ... We're ... we're all going along on this one, aren't we?

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bethesdaBethesda-SoftworksbrinkHuntedhunted-the-demons-forgemicrosoftpcplaystationps3release-datexboxThu, 27 Jan 2011 12:00:00 ESThttp://www.joystiq.com/2011/01/21/brink-developer-diary-on-audio-design-blows-us-away/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/01/21/brink-developer-diary-on-audio-design-blows-us-away/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/01/21/brink-developer-diary-on-audio-design-blows-us-away/#commentsBrink audio director Chris Sweetman's got plenty of street cred in the "authentic gun sounds" community, for his work on Black. To learn more about the process of making Brink's armaments as sonically pleasing as possible, go read the game's latest dev diary while listening to the video below.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Bethesda-SoftworksBrinkmicrosoftpcplaystationps3splash-damagexboxTue, 31 Aug 2010 17:40:00 ESThttp://www.joystiq.com/2010/08/25/brinks-latest-dev-diary-shatters-genres/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/08/25/brinks-latest-dev-diary-shatters-genres/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/08/25/brinks-latest-dev-diary-shatters-genres/#comments
The first dev diaries for Brink explained game mechanics , but the latest one has Splash Damage engaging a more amorphous subject: the game's inability to be defined by genres. It may also be about the studio's choice to make XP persistent between single and multiplayer. Maybe.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bethesda-softworksBrinkdev-diarymicrosoftplaystationps3splash-damagexboxzenimax-mediaWed, 25 Aug 2010 01:30:00 ESThttp://www.joystiq.com/2010/08/17/brinks-second-dev-diary-explains-the-s-m-a-r-t-system/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/08/17/brinks-second-dev-diary-explains-the-s-m-a-r-t-system/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/08/17/brinks-second-dev-diary-explains-the-s-m-a-r-t-system/#comments
The latest Brinkdev diary shows us the game's "Smooth Movement Across Random Terrain" system -- or "S.M.A.R.T." for short -- and how it allows players to deftly traverse environments while firing bullets at enemies. This is the system that allows players to practice their totally sweet parkour moves while murdering fools.

Perhaps those smooth moves will inspire you to get some freestyle walking in as well -- in real life? Good thing, then, that Brink is sponsoring "champion freerunner" Daniel Ilabaca on a European parkour tour. The tour kicked off today in London and will hit a handful of major EU cities before ending in Paris on September 2. We might also suggest you buy lots of padding and, depending on your level of fitness, a membership to the local gym before trying that "freerunning" yourself.

Brink developer Splash Damage's Quakecon 2010 panel played host to a few neat announcements about its FPSRPG, the highlight of which being the reveal of the game's cameo-tastic pre-order bonuses. Folks who reserve the game through GameStop will unlock the Doom pack, giving their Brink characters access to armor, guns, hats and a tattoo based on id's seminal FPS franchise. Those who pre-order the game from Best Buy will receive a similar pack based on Fallout 3.

Of course, if you're looking for more unique duds for your Brink avatar, several online retailers will offer "Psycho" and "Spec Ops" equipment, which will make your character resemble a psycho and special operative, respectively. Neither of those sound quite as enticing as "Space Demon Fighter" or "Nuclear Wasteland Savior," but we suppose they'll do.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Bethesda-SoftworksBrinkmicrosoftpcplaystationpre-orderps3quakecon-2010splash-damagexboxSun, 15 Aug 2010 11:30:00 ESThttp://www.joystiq.com/2010/08/10/brinks-first-dev-diary-delves-into-the-plot/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/08/10/brinks-first-dev-diary-delves-into-the-plot/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/08/10/brinks-first-dev-diary-delves-into-the-plot/#comments
You may have gotten the impression that Spash Damage's agile FPS, Brink, is all about lanky mercenaries shooting each other in the face. But did you know that the plot actually explores concepts of diminishing resources and environmentalism? You will after you've taken a look at the first developer diary, embedded after the break.

The official schedule has been announced for this year's QuakeCon, which is taking place August 12-15 in Dallas, Texas. In addition to the usual id gallery, none other than Jason West and Vince Zampella of the newly formed Respawn Entertainment will be in attendance.

The ousted Infinity Ward heads will sit on a panel the Friday morning of the conference called "Building Blockbusters," talking with Tim Willits and Tom Howard of id and Bethesda about how to make big games (like the "huge summer blockbuster" they're supposedly working on). Todd Alderman, also of Respawn, will sit on a panel the previous day speaking about "The World of Design" with a few other developers.

Elsewhere in the schedule, John Carmack and Richard Garriott will hold court on Thursday evening discussing rockets and space travel, and Friday and Saturday afternoons will bring preview panels for RAGE and Brink. Sounds like an excellent weekend of FPS gaming -- so if you're in Dallas (or plan to be there), the event is free and open to the public.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bethesda-softworksbrinkid-softwarejason-westjohn-carmackmacmicrosoftpcplaystationps3quakecon-2010ragerespawn-entertainmentvince-zampellaxboxFri, 30 Jul 2010 20:30:00 ESThttp://www.joystiq.com/2010/06/23/preview-brink/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/06/23/preview-brink/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/06/23/preview-brink/#comments
In Brink, Splash Damage has created a world of two perpetually warring sides: the Security and the Resistance. Each is fighting for its own slice of a very small pie called the Ark, a floating city that remains the last bit of "land" on a flooded Earth. It was built to safely support a few thousand, but its ranks have swelled into the tens of thousands -- overpopulation and the two warring sides naturally brought about a conflict.

Each side has four different classes. There's the Medic, the Engineer, the Soldier and the Operative. The Medic doles out health and revives downed teammates, the Operative can disguise himself as a person on the enemy team, the Soldier can replenish his teammates' ammo, while the Engineer is tasked with maintaining the hardware. Every in-game action nets you experience points, which can then be used to purchase specific abilities (things like damage buffs, extra ammunition, etc.) and customize weapon loadouts -- quests are accessed through an in-game radial menu, which allows players to choose from a set of ongoing objectives on the fly.